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Following are a set of P2 options you may wish to implement. No option is perfect for everyone, but sometimes options that have worked at one facility can work at yours. They might also serve as inspiration.

Reviewed Laboratory Options

Options below have reviewed by pollution prevention specialists. They are commonly recommended and implemented for facilities.

 
Reduce chemicals
Scale down the amount of chemical used in experiments.
 
Replace wet tests
Replace wet tests with analytical instrumentation.
 
Incorporate product samples
Return unused samples to the process unit for product incorporation.
 
Install distillation units
Install distillation units to recycle chemicals, for example, alcohol, xylene, formaldehyde, and so forth.
 
Acid/Base Experiments
Use vinegar/ammonia instead of Hazardous Acids/Bases
 
Replace Mercury Thermometers
Use Digital Thermistor/Thermocouple instead for High temperature measurements (for lower temperatures a less expensive alcohol thermometer will suffice)
 
Glassware cleaning
Use Potassium Hydroxide Sonic Baths Specialty Solvents instead of Chromic Sulfuric Acid solutions or Alcoholic Potassium Hydroxide
 
Phase Change/Freezing Point Depression
For these experiments use Acetamide instead of Stearic Acid.
 
Quantitative Test for Halide Ions
For these experiments use Cyclohexane instead of Carbon Tetrachloride.
 
Return Samples
When retention time for samples are up, collect them in segregrated drums and return to customer or vendor.
 
Purchase non-mercury Thermometers
Establish a laboratory purchasing procedure to ensure only non-toxic thermometers are purchased.
 
Smaller Squeeze Bottles
Reduce the size of squeeze bottles to minimum size practical (i.e., use one pint instead of one quart). Human nature being what it is, personnel reduce the volume of solvent used as the bottle gets close to being empty in order to avoid refilling the bottle.

Unreviewed Options, Use with CautionUnreviewed Laboratory Options

Options below have not been reviewed by pollution prevention specialists. They are commonly recommended and implemented for facilities.

 
sample collected quanilty
Only use quanity needed for each sample to run test methods.
 
Minimize bench testing errors
Minimizing bench testing errors would reduce the volume of test reagents utilized (and therefore waste generated) due to the need for re-running erroneous tests.
 
Compatible Waste
Mix compatible waste instead of having different waste streams for every waste that you may have. This may help with cost depending on the waste and how you are charged for your waste.
 
Compatible Waste
Mix compatible waste instead of having different waste streams for every waste that you may have. This may help with cost depending on the waste and how you are charged for your waste.
 
Laboratory Equipment Cleaning
Minimize the amount of water used in washing laboratory equipment by washing multiple items at one time



Find Options for other processes


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